AltAmont turbines: still A threAt - Golden Gate Audubon Society
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the newsletter of the golden gate audubon society // vol. 105 no. 4 fall 2021
Altamont Turbines:
Still a Threat
by blake edgar
A t 40 years, the Altamont Pass Wind Resource
Area is one of the nation’s oldest wind farms—
and remains one of the deadliest to birds. Golden
Gate Audubon Society and environmental allies
thought they’d reduced that threat by as much as
80 percent in 2010, through a repowering agreement
with Altamont’s largest wind operator that involved
replacing older turbines with modern ones that were
taller, fewer, and more widely spaced.
CONTINUED on page 3
Golden Eagle.
George Eade
other threatened species.
Global good news is harder to come by.
The sixth Intergovernmental Panel on Cli-
mate Change report was released over the
summer, stressing that we must act quickly
to avoid the most catastrophic impacts.
Wind and solar energy are critical compo-
nents of any pathway to zero emissions. As
recounted in this month’s cover story on
Altamont Pass, we in the Bay Area know
the dangers of badly sited wind energy. Yet
we also understand that wind is a neces-
sary piece of the puzzle: Wind power can
be generated at night and on cloudy days
when solar may not meet consumer needs.
So we must remain vigilant and work with
wind-power developers to ensure that sit-
ing of future wind projects doesn’t create
Bob Lewis
Sandhill Cranes. further problems for wildlife.
Loggerhead Shrike is among the birds found at Tesla Park. An alternative, more wildlife-friendly
approach to renewable energy involves dis-
tributed generation. A 2016 study found
Good News Amidst that California has enough sun, rooftops,
Our Many Crises and parking lots to provide for most of our
energy needs without building a single
by glenn phillips, executive director new commercial-scale wind or solar farm.
a
As the state moves towards its goal of 100
fter a summer filled with bad news, ship in Sacramento from Senator Steven percent renewable energy by 2045, we
I’m grateful to report some positive Glazer and Assemblymember Rebecca should push for greater use of distributed
developments. Tesla Park—a 3,100-acre Bauer-Kahan, and support from Assem- solar panels that don’t destroy habitat or
open space area in Livermore’s hills—is blymember Phil Ting and Senator Nancy threaten birds and other wildlife.
now finally protected, thanks to years of Skinner. Governor Newsom agreed in early One final piece of good, albeit local,
work by a coalition of more than thirty September to transfer the land from the news... Golden Gate Audubon success-
groups including Golden Gate Audubon state’s off-road vehicle program to state fully restarted our field trip program this
Society, Ohlone Audubon, and the Califor- parks, while returning funds to the off- summer after a 16-month Covid-19 hia-
nia Native Plant Society. road vehicle program for a suitable location tus. Nearly 600 people participated in 35
Save Tesla Park was a passion project elsewhere. Tesla Park is home to unique trips around the region without any health
for Celeste Garamendi, Nancy Rodrigue, geological, biological, and cultural features problems at all. Thank you to all who par-
and many others on the Save Tesla that include three nesting pairs of Golden ticipated, and we look forward to opening
Park Steering Committee, with leader- Eagles and important habitat for at least six more spaces in our programs this fall.
news briefs
Help Enforce Rodenticide Ban Victory at Tesla Park Bird-friendly Coffee Club
California has a new law banning most use of Conservation groups including local Audubon Protect habitat for wintering songbirds in Central
second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides chapters won a victory in September when America while enjoying superb organic, shade-
(SGARs), which can kill hawks, owls, Governor Newsom signed legislation banning grown coffee through our Bird-friendly Coffee Club.
coyotes, and other predators that eat rats off-road vehicles from sensitive habitat known Birds & Beans coffee is certified by the Smithsonian
with poison in their systems. Help enforce as Tesla Park in eastern Alameda County. The Migratory Bird Center. Order once a month and pick
this law by reading labels of bait traps in your 3,100 acres—which support at-risk species such up your coffee at a location in Berkeley, Oakland, or
neighborhood: goldengateaudubon.org/blog-posts/ as Golden Eagles and California red-legged San Francisco. See goldengateaudubon.org/login/
help-enforce-californias-rodenticide-ban. frogs—will now become a California state park. bird-friendly-coffee-club.
2 THE GULL fall 2021
features
ALTAMONT TURBINES from page 1
Yet those hopes have not been realized.
“We were wrong when we relied on the
theory that well-sited repowered turbines
would significantly reduce bird mortal-
ity,” said Mike Lynes, who worked on the
Altamont settlement for GGAS and is now
Director of Public Policy for Audubon
California.
Studies released in 2017, 2018, and 2020
indicate that repowering hasn’t benefitted
many of the bird species most affected by
Altamont turbines. The repowered turbines
also seem to be having greater impacts on
Elizabeth Winstead
bats.
“We’ve learned there is no place in
Altamont that is safe for birds: It varies
from extreme risk to very bad risk,” said
Golden Eagle near an Altamont turbine.
GGAS Executive Director Glenn Phillips.
The Altamont wind area covers 56
square miles of northeastern Alameda and “We’ve learned there is no place in Altamont that is safe
Contra Costa counties. It supports one of
North America’s densest populations of
for birds: It varies from extreme risk to very bad risk.”
Golden Eagles, as well as other raptors and
bats—all of which face lethal injuries from
gists would assess the degree of bird deaths Alameda County approved Brookfield’s plan
the spinning blades.
related to wind power. The PEIR estab- for up to 36 new turbines generating 80
In the wake of the 2010 repowering
lished mortality thresholds and mitigation megawatts—more than the 50 megawatts
settlement, Alameda County authorized
measures for repowering projects. previously generated by older turbines on
a Program Environmental Impact Report
Subsequent studies have determined that same site.
(PEIR) covering its portion of the Altamont,
that Altamont is an ecological sink for “These repowered turbines may well
with the intent to minimize repowering’s
Golden Eagles, who are drawn there have greater impacts on raptors and bats
toll on wildlife. Four focal raptor species
by prime foraging opportunities in the in the Altamont than the former project,”
(Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Western
grasslands. Biologist Shawn Smallwood Lynes said.
Burrowing Owl, and American Kestrel)
estimates that—despite repowering and Golden Gate Audubon and allies are
were selected as standards by which biolo-
winter turbine shutdowns—the number appealing the decision before the Alam-
of eagles declined by 45 percent between eda County Board of Supervisors, which is
2008 and 2019. expected to hear the appeal in October.
Golden Gate Audubon continues to For Phillips, who watched Altamont’s
monitor new wind proposals for PEIR com- wind turbines from his childhood bed-
pliance and for ways to minimize mortality. room window, the time has come to restrict
In 2020, GGAS and Audubon California further wind development there. Without
appealed Alameda County’s approval of question, wind power is needed as a tool
a project adding 40 turbines generating against climate change, he said. But wind
almost 110 megawatts, which would have farms should be limited to places that do
been Altamont’s largest individual wind less damage to wildlife.
farm. Negotiations among various stake- “If this were a new area that hadn’t been
holders persuaded the developer, sPower, to developed for wind before, it would never
reduce it to 16 turbines and 50 megawatts. happen,” Phillips said. “This is the textbook
Now GGAS, Audubon California, and case study for badly sited wind energy.”
three other local Audubon chapters are Do you live in Alameda County? Contact
Harjeet Singh
raising the alarm about another proposed your county supervisor and urge them not to
development, Brookfield Renewable’s Mul- approve the Mulqueeney Ranch project as
Golden Eagle. queeney Ranch Wind Repowering Project. proposed.
fall 2021 THE GULL 3
features
Oysters, climate change
and Pier 94
by noreen weeden
p ier 94, our habitat restoration site along San Francisco’s
southeastern shoreline, is a potential oyster hotbed!
No, we’re not talking about turning Pier 94 into the next Hog
Island Oyster Company. These are a different kind of oyster—tiny,
native oysters that make better eating for wildlife than for humans,
and that could become part of our defense against climate change.
The smallest oyster in the U.S., Olympia oysters (Ostrea lurida)
are the only species native to the West Coast. They provide food for
birds such as sea ducks and Black Oystercatchers, as well as rock
crabs, bat rays, and sea otters. They also improve water quality by
filtering over 5 gallons of water per hour while consuming micro-
scopic plants known as phytoplankton.
Today oyster beds can be part of a climate adaptation strategy
Noreen Weeden
called “living shorelines”—using natural materials like plants and
sand rather than concrete sea walls to prevent erosion and counter
increased storm surges.
Monitoring oysters and tiles at Pier 94.
Olympia oyster populations plummeted in San Francisco Bay
over the last century due to overharvesting, pollution, and habitat
loss. But a recent pilot effort shows we may be able to foster an and older surviving oysters.
oyster colony at Pier 94, the salt marsh restoration site that Golden SERC attributed this success to factors including cooler air tem-
Gate Audubon Society manages for the Port of San Francisco along peratures than other parts of the Bay and the absence of a predatory
the city’s southeastern waterfront. mollusk called an oyster drill.
Over the past two years, scientists from the Smithsonian Envi- “(We) recommend Pier 94 as a site where oyster restoration
ronmental Research Center (SERC) installed ceramic tiles in a efforts that deploy additional hard substrate for oysters to settle on
subtidal section of the Pier 94 shoreline. Aided by Golden Gate is likely to be successful,” the researchers concluded.
Audubon volunteers, they tracked the number and size of oysters The next step will be to seek grant funding for oyster restoration
that attached themselves to the tiles, a process called “recruitment” at Pier 94 on a larger scale. A flourishing oyster population there can
that young oysters need to grow into adulthood. help promote oyster repopulation throughout the Bay.
SERC’s final report, delivered in 2021, found Pier 94 an “excel- So Pier 94 won’t ever be a trendy Hog Island-style oyster bar. But
lent site for oyster restoration.” with financial support and the continuing commitment of Audubon
Oysters attached themselves to the tiles at a high rate. They were volunteers, it could be something even better—a shellfish buffet for
found at a variety of sizes, indicating a healthy balance of younger Bay wildlife and a test case for climate adaptation.
Upcoming events
Berkeley Bird Festival 2021 Christmas Bird Counts Be a Lake Merritt Docent Nature Journaling Class
Sunday, October 17 — all day Oakland: Sunday, Dec. 19 Share views and information We still have spaces in our
U.C. Berkeley & various locations San Francisco: Tuesday, Dec. 28 about Lake Merritt’s birds with Nature Journaling at Lake Merritt
Join us for the first-ever Berkeley Richmond: Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 people strolling around the lake! class, taught by artist and nature
Bird Festival! Bird walks throughout Spend a fun day in the field You don’t need to be an expert educator Clay Anderson. Class
the city, bird chalk art on the contributing to community science, birder, just enthusiastic about our includes one Zoom session plus
U.C. campus, and family-focused or count birds in your backyard for wintering ducks and other birds. one field trip to Lake Merritt
crafts plus avian art performances our Feeder Watch. Beginning and We offer a mid-October training each month through June 2022.
at the David Brower Center in experienced birders are warmly for the winter docent season. For For details and sign-up, see
downtown Berkeley. For details, see welcome. Registration opens late details, please email Maureen at goldengateaudubon.org/education/
berkeleybirdfestival.org. October: goldengateaudubon.org/cbc. mlahiff@aol.com. classes.
4 THE GULL fall 2021
speaker series
Shawn Smallwood
Roger van Gelder
Burrowing Owls. Acorn Woodpecker.
Bringing Back the online
Climate and Birds online
Burrowing Owl Thursday, October 21
7 p.m. program
in California Thursday, November 18
7 p.m. program
doug bell and shawn Zoom
mike lynes Zoom
smallwood
The East Bay used to support many colonies of Burrowing Owls, North America’s bird populations have declined by approximately
from the shorelines along eastern San Francisco Bay to the Diablo 3 billion birds since 1970 and two-thirds of North America’s bird
Range. Those have now been reduced to overwintering sites along species now face an even greater risk of extinction due to climate
the shore and tenuous colony sites inland, including within the change. Species at risk include not only ones that are already endan-
boundaries of the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA). gered, but common backyard birds like Chestnut-backed Chickadees,
However, the APWRA has been a major mortality source for Bur- as detailed in Audubon’s landmark 2018 study, Survival By Degrees.
rowing Owls and other winged wildlife such as bats and Golden But Audubon isn’t taking this threat sitting down. During this
Eagles. Doug Bell and Shawn Smallwood will present results of presentation, Mike Lynes of Audubon California will discuss the
long-term research on Burrowing Owl colonies within the APWRA threats to birds from climate change and how the statewide group
and management efforts conducted on East Bay Regional Park is working with chapters, allies, and decision-makers to imple-
District lands in the region, including volunteer-based habitat res- ment climate-smart policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
toration programs. responsibly develop renewable energy, and build more resilient com-
Shawn Smallwood earned his Ph.D. in Ecology at U.C. Davis and munities of birds and people. Mike will explain how nature-based
has studied wildlife impact from wind turbines for 20 years. His climate solutions and policies like California’s “30 by 30” initiative
research includes animal density and distribution and habitat selec- will expand parks, open spaces, wetlands, and coastal areas to meet
tion. Doug Bell serves as Wildlife Program Manager for the East climate goals and benefit both people and birds.
Bay Regional Park District and as a Research Associate in ornithol- Mike Lynes is Director of Public Policy for Audubon California.
ogy and mammalogy at the California Academy of Sciences. He has He formerly served as Executive Director of Golden Gate Audu-
engaged in long-term studies of Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons, and bon Society after working as field ornithologist and conservation
other raptors with an emphasis on assessing and lessening impacts biologist with the Point Reyes Bird Observatory (now Point Blue
from renewable energy development. Conservation Science).
For Zoom links, see goldengateaudubon.org/education/speaker-series.
fall 2021 THE GULL 5
features
New Christmas Bird Count
Coming to Richmond
by ilana debare
g olden Gate Audubon Society is known for two longstanding
Christmas Bird Counts—our San Francisco count, which
started with the organization’s founding in 1917, and our Oakland
count, which started in 1938.
Now GGAS is taking the historic step of adding a third Christ-
mas-season count in Richmond, a community whose abundant bird
life has been overlooked for too long.
“Western Contra Costa County has three designated Important
Bird Areas—Brooks Island, the North Richmond shoreline, and
other Eastshore wetlands such as Miller-Knox Regional Shore-
line—yet it’s never had an official CBC,” said GGAS Executive
Director Glenn Phillips.
CBCs are carried out by local Audubon volunteers but overseen
by the National Audubon Society, which imposes certain techni-
cal requirements: Each count must cover a 15-mile-diameter circle,
and it can’t overlap with any other count circles.
No one ever made an explicit decision to exclude Richmond from
the CBC. But in the wake of World War 2, redlining and racial
discrimination turned Richmond into a majority-Black, low-income
city. Meanwhile, Audubon chapters were largely white and typically
focused on communities where the bulk of their membership lived.
In recent years, Golden Gate Audubon has expanded activities
in Richmond. GGAS’s Eco-Education program provides hands-on
Rusty Scalf
nature education in several Title 1 (low-income) elementary schools
there, and our popular Osprey nest cam recently completed a fifth
Map of new Richmond count circle and nearby count circles.
season along the Richmond shoreline.
Some GGAS members including Bob Lewis and Rusty Scalf
looked into starting a Richmond count about ten years ago. But when
they tried to draw a 15-mile circle, they couldn’t do it without over-
lapping small parts of existing counts such as Oakland and Benicia.
This summer, Lewis and GGAS Board President Eric Schro-
eder decided to revive the idea. Glenn Phillips heartily agreed and
approached National Audubon to green-light a Richmond count.
But National refused, citing the issue of overlapping territory.
“We decided to just do it anyway,” Lewis said. “We don’t need
National. We can call it a GGAS count or unofficial count, with the
idea that someday National will view all our data and see the light.”
A Richmond count offers exciting possibilities: GGAS members
living in Richmond will finally have a count of their own. Count
organizers can reach out and engage Richmond residents—includ-
ing youth—who are new to birding. The count will generate data on
bird populations that can be used to advocate for wildlife in debates
like the current fight over the future of Point Molate.
The first-ever Richmond CBC is scheduled for Sunday, Janu-
ary 2, 2022. Want to take part? Check the GGAS website in early
Bob Lewis
November, or contact Richmond CBC Compilers Derek Heins and
Karyn Noel at RichmondCBC@goldengateaudubon.org.
Black Oystercatchers are found along the Richmond shoreline.
6 THE GULL fall 2021
donations roster
board of directors
President
Thank you for being part of our donor community. Eric Schroeder
We are deeply appreciative of every individual, business, and organization who Vice President and Co-Chair of EBCC
Laura Cremin
supports Golden Gate Audubon. In this issue, we recognize major donors and
Secretary and Co-Chair of Development
recurring monthly donors from the past year, September 1, 2020 through August 31, Carol Baird
2021. Donors of all types and amounts will be recognized in our Annual Report. Treasurer and Chair of Finance Committee
Bruce Mast
Rebekah Berkov, Amy Chong, Blake Edgar,
Major Donors Jacqueline Smalley Eliza Greene & James Cynthia Naton Whitney Grover, Derek Heins,
Jill Spangenberg Tiemstra Glenn Nevill Susan MacWhorter, Christine Okon,
$10,000 and above Geraldine Young Linda Gregory Martin Nicolaus David Robinson, Dan Roth, Christina Tarr
Anonymous Mary Gutekanst Ilene Oba
staff
National Audubon Wildlife Michele & Jerry Christine Okon
Harrison Madeline Ono Executive Director
Society
Guardians Rowena Henry Patrick Owens Glenn Phillips, 510.843.2222 ext. 1002
National Fish & Wildlife
gphillips@goldengateaudubon.org
Foundation and Recurring Lynda & Pearce Hurley Glenn Phillips
Karen Rosenbaum & Donors Marcia Hyman Marjorie Powell Director of Development
Amanda Irish Megan Prelinger Catherine Millar
Ben McClinton Thank you to these
Kathy Jarrett Madhav Puri cmillar@goldengateaudubon.org
Salesforce.com supporters whose
Foundation automatic monthly Simon Jeffery Maryann Rainey Volunteer Services Manager
Eric Schroeder & Susan contributions by credit Dawn Rose Kearn David Robinson Janet Carpinelli
Tobin Kendrick Tiffany Rose jcarpinelli@goldengateaudubon.org
Palo card sustain our work
University of California throughout the year. Elyse King Eric Schroeder Communications Associate
- Berkeley Robert Kossler Pamela Shandrick Ryan Nakano
University of California Richard Ables Sam Krueger Scott Sommerfeld rnakano@goldengateaudubon.org
- San Francisco Amy Bach Maureen Lahiff J Stacey Sullivan Youth Programs Manager
Cyndi Bakir Johan Langewis Tan Suwannukul Clay Anderson
$5,000 to $9,999 Peter Brastow Mary Lee Sam Talarigo canderson@goldengateaudubon.org
Carol Baird & Alan Deborah Bullock Elizabeth Littell Jessica Turner
Office Manager
Harper Eugenia and Peter Doris Lopez Wendy Jeane Meshay Turner, 510.843.2222 ext. 1001
Mary Betlach Caldwell Alexandra Loucks Warrington mturner@goldengateaudubon.org
Flora Family Leigh Castellon Kate Marchetti Evelyn Wilson ggas@goldengateaudubon.org
Foundation Evelyn Dale Marsha Maslan Tamara Wood
Kathryn Jordan Michael D’Aloisio Kent Lee McDonald Stephanie Woods volunteer LEADERSHIP
Ardeen Russell-Quinn Linda Deaktor Patrick Meeker Alana Yoel Adult Education Chair
Erin Diehm Marie Mika David Zinniker Maureen Lahiff, mlahiff@aol.com
$3,000 to $4,999 Frances Dupont Roger & Win Mixter Sam Zuckerman
Field Trip Coordinator
Anonymous Elise Eichhorn Christina Tarr, christina.tarr@gmail.com
Josh Jensen Jennifer Frost
Travel with GGAS Coordinators
Pat Kirkpatrick & Sid Sue Gallagher Please know that we work hard to ensure the
Cris Heins, Dawn Lemoine, and Eric Schroeder
Wolinsky William Giddens accuracy of this list. If your name has been omitted travelprogram@goldengateaudubon.org
Miles and Mel McKey Susan Greef or misspelled, let us know at 510.843.2222.
Regina Phelps Gerard Green MISSION STATEMENT
Golden Gate Audubon Society engages people
to experience the wonder of birds and to translate
that wonder into actions which protect native bird
2021 Osprey Nest Cam Season populations and their habitats.
Comparing the fifth season of our live Osprey nest cam to fine wine, we’d say it was a really good ABOUT GOLDEN GATE AUDUBON society
The Golden Gate Audubon Society was founded
year. Rosie, the female of the pair, returned sooner than expected from her winter migration south.
January 25, 1917. Golden Gate Audubon Supporting
Eggs were laid by the end of March, a week earlier than usual. By early May, three chicks were Membership is $35 per year. You can join or renew on
successfully hatched. the website or through our Berkeley office.
At the time of banding, it was thought the chicks were all male. Surprise! DNA results revealed The Gull is published four times per year. Special
two females and one male. With three healthy third-class postage paid in Oakland, CA. Send
young fledglings to feed, Rosie and her mate address changes to the office promptly. The post
Richmond brought a record 761 fish to the nest. office does not forward The Gull.
The juveniles left the nest area along the Learn about upcoming Golden Gate Audubon
Richmond shoreline between July 28 and events every month! Send your name and email
address to ggas@goldengateaudubon.org to receive
August 24, at ages ranging from 86 to 115 days. our monthly e-newsletters.
Like Rosie, they’ve likely headed south for the
Golden Gate Audubon Society
winter. But you can still catch avian action at
2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G
sfbayospreys.org, with occasional visits to the Berkeley, CA 94702
nest by Richmond (who over-winters in the Bay Office hours: Monday through Thursday,
Area) or other birds. And if you see a blue-banded 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Telephone: 510.843.2222
Osprey while vacationing in Central America or
goldengateaudubon.org
Mexico, let us know! Literal “empty nester” parents Rosie and ggas@goldengateaudubon.org
— Robin Banks, Osprey volunteer Richmond in early September.
This issue of The Gull was published October 2021.
fall 2021 THE GULL 7
Golden Gate Audubon Society
2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G Non-Profit Org.
Berkeley, CA 94702 U.S. Postage
Paid
Return service requested Oakland, CA
Permit No.1702
www.goldengateaudubon.org The Gull is printed with soy-based inks on chlorine-free paper, 30% postconsumer waste content.
4 Native Oysters at Pier 94 5 Speaker Series 6 New CBC for Richmond
Pier 94 turns out to be perfect for native Burrowing Owls in the East Bay, and what Richmond’s abundant bird life and vibrant
oysters, which support wildlife and buffer Audubon California’s doing to protect the human community deserve a Christmas Bird
the shoreline from sea level rise. birds of our state from climate change. Count—and now they’re getting one.
backyard birder
This species has a limited range on the west coast—from south-
ern Oregon to the tip of Baja. Within this range, it’s found in a
variety of habitats and has adapted well to urban and suburban areas:
The Oakland Christmas Bird Count has reported more Cal Towhees
each year since 2008 than any other CBC in the country.
In birding lingo the species is characterized as “highly sedentary,”
meaning it’s non-migratory and has a small home territory. If you’ve
got a pair in your backyard, you’re likely to find that they’re settled
there. But the more general meaning of “sedentary” doesn’t apply to
this species. These birds aren’t fast movers nor do they move far, but
they are constantly in motion, usually shuffling along the ground,
foraging for seeds and other vegetable matter, often making their
Rick Lewis
characteristic loud “chip” calls. According to research done nearly a
century ago by A. L. Dawson, these metallic-sounding notes serve a
California Towhee. range of purposes, including keep-in-touch signaling, warning notes,
and even challenges.
The Togetherness of Towhees
During spring, towhee pairs defend their territories aggressively.
The male’s chip calls evolve into song by adding a trill at the end.
by eric james schroeder The female builds the nest, which may be in a tree, shrub, or even
b
on the ground. She also incubates the eggs, which hatch in about
irds of the World, the bible of avian lore, seems almost dis- two weeks. But when it comes to child rearing, the males take a
missive of towhees as “little more than large New World turn; the chicks need a high protein diet, so the foraging now focuses
sparrows.” And California Towhees are a uniform plain gray/brown on insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars, spiders, beetles, wasps,
with just a touch of cinnamon color on their throats and their vents and ants. Chicks fledge at eight to eleven days and stay with their
(their bottoms). Males are slightly larger than females; otherwise parents for up to six weeks, by which time they’ve achieved their full
they’re indistinguishable. Uniformly plain they may be, but Cal adult size. And since California Towhees mate for life, if you do have
Towhees are a beloved local bird. a resident pair, you’re likely to see them for years to come.
8 THE GULL fall 2021
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